Flu Sending Record Numbers of Elderly to the Hospital: CDC

24 Feb Flu Sending Record Numbers of Elderly to the Hospital: CDC

While the flu season continues to show signs that it has peaked, it is hitting those over 65 the hardest, sending record numbers of older Americans to the hospital, U.S. health officials reported Friday.

Seniors may be hit harder by influenza this year because the predominant strain, H3N2, tends to be especially harmful in that age group, said Dr. Michael Jhung, a medical officer the Influenza Division at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

According to Jhung, another reason for the record number of elderly hospitalizations may be that this year’s vaccine is not well matched to this year’s flu strains.